Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or within one year after separation. The VA medical opinions concluded that the current condition is less likely related to military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability as secondary to his already service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement and right knee degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including scheduling a new VA examination to address discrepancies between previous examinations and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's right ankle, low back, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was denied. The claims were remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder strain disabilities due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The VA will obtain all pertinent medical records, including from Kaiser Permanente, and schedule a new VA examination.

Service connection is granted for carpal tunnel syndrome and a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff condition does not appear to be the cause of his left shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder injury was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion at or below shoulder level.

The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder was denied. Service connection for anxiety disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right shoulder rotator cuff disorder, and hypertension has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals and denied for right shoulder rotator cuff disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence due to left rotator cuff tear and degenerative arthritis was denied as he did not meet the criteria for an extension of benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and no effective date earlier than April 8, 2014, was assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, memory loss, sleep disorder, and ADHD due to potential Gulf War exposure.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current shoulder disorders, memory loss, sleep disorder, and ADHD and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, contributed to his death from sepsis due to a decubitus ulcer. The Board found that these disabilities rendered him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other causes of death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.